By Ricky Rieckert
Dear readers,
I hope you have read my last two articles on Aurora’s downtown. It’s a serious issue for all Aurorans.
One letter to the editor, last week made a comment on my “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, comment. She wrote a very good editorial article.
My statement wasn’t intended for the City, rather, the Paramount Theatre, because I don’t believe in reducing funding to the Paramount Theatre. The Paramount is something that is working, and soon to be the biggest draw to downtown Aurora, when the Hollywood Casino moves.
Let’s talk about the casino. Years ago, when it began, Aurora invested a load of money, (a gamble), to bring the casino to Aurora.
A police officer, once told me, that the casino needed to stay afloat six to seven years, or Aurora would be in a world of hurt.
Thankfully that investment worked out. Which reminds me, the City should still be getting revenue from the casino, correct?
Let’s look at other investments that have been made in past years:
The former Walgreens building on Galena Boulevard and Broadway was sold to someone in the private sector, who bought it and then, a short time later, the building was bought by the City, for offices. Somebody in the private sector made a quick buck.
The property owned by the East Aurora School District for 30 years on Indian Trail, sat vacant for that time with expected growth to happen, to build a school or something else. Years later, they decided to sell. Another private sector person bought it. Then, a short time later, the City bought it for the new Aurora Police Station.
Why didn’t the City buy from the School District? They both receive money from the taxpayers. Now they’re going to build a new fire station on that property. What’s going to happen with the old fire station building?
The middleman profited once again. What was the City planning committee doing?
I wonder how much was spent for the former Home Savings and Loan building, that now provides more offices for the City?
The City gave money once for the old Copley Hospital, whereas the church that purchased that building, went under, along with its plan to rehabilitate it.
Now somebody has done good with that building. Senior housing and the East Aurora School District have a couple of the buildings.
The City ended Seminary Avenue, from Lincoln Avenue, east, 100 feet approximately, leaving no access for emergency vehicles from Lincoln Avenue, east. It now is a park, between Bardwell School and the Old Copley building.
The West Aurora School District helped the City out of a situation, by taking over the former Dreyer Medical Clinic, property on W. Galena Boulevard, for school usage.
Then you have the mysterious fire at the former Masonic Temple, burning down, two weeks after former Aurora mayor, Richard Irvin, was set to raze the building, because it was falling apart.
It now sits as a grass lot eyesore with building relics sitting across the street. What a shame, a building so solid, that a tornado wouldn’t faze it.
That building reminded me of the old Chicago Stadium.
Between senior housing developments and the new restaurants in the downtown, and the money the City will use to tear down the Casino, I would say in layman’s terms, that they bit off, a little more than they could chew. A huge potential deficit. As if the money was burning a hole in their pocket.
Once again, something moving from downtown, but at least when the Casino opens, the City should have more funds coming in.
Farnsworth at the I-88 Tollway, now has: The Premium Outlet Mall and the Hollywood Casino and Hotel on the far northeast side of Aurora.
The original East/West Tollway, and I-5, to the newer I-88 and the Ronald Reagan Tollway are all the same roadway.
The Tollway, built and opened in the 1960s, originally was stated to have tolls for 10 years, to pay for the road, and then lifted. That never happened.
My grandfather told me many years ago: There are two sure things in our lives, taxes and death. How true.
Even the state of Illinois is getting rid of the one percent grocery tax, but Aurora will continue to charge it. I wonder what will happen to Aurora grocery stores when consumers go to different cities for groceries.
Overall, I think that the City of Aurora government should spend wisely, after discussing expenditures and determine the best route to take, and leave the taxpayers and businesses alone, who work hard to succeed, and who want Aurora to succeed in the distant future.
Next week, downtown buildings.
Have a great week!